Can 2 15/20 amp circuits be patched together?

[RickO]

In a couple of months, we'll be taking our coach to visit DWs family in Minnesota. We will set up in a nice spot near the barn but there's only household 15/20 amp circuits available and it's certainly going to be hot.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that devices were sold which combine multiple circuits and present it to the coach as a single 30 amp supply.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me? Is it a bad idea?

Thanks in advance...

Rick

[Dr4Film]

I made an adapter to take a 30amp circuit and a 20 amp circuit and combine it into a 50 amp receptacle where I could plug my coaches 50 amp plug into. This will only work if the pedestal 30 amp & 20 amp circuits were installed on completely separate lines and not branched off of one. Also, if neither were on a GFI breaker.

The same concept would be true for making a 30 amp combination converter, taking a 20amp and a 15amp circuit to equal a 30 amp supply.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

[M&EM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film ---------------------------- The same concept would be true for making a 30 amp combination converter, taking a 20amp and a 15amp circuit to equal a 30 amp supply. Dr4Film ----- Richard.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

I think that last sentence is Not always correct and could be very dangerous.

Consider the case were one circuit is on opposite phase(leg) from the other. The 30 amp converter would effectively parallel the two legs and constitute a short across a 220V combination as it was plugged in!! Whereas in the 50 amp case, the 50 amp RV is expecting a 220 volt line to line and wouldn't care

Marty

[Hitchhiker]

Take a look at the barn's breaker panel box, if it has two main breakers it'll have 220 volts available. If so, and if the panel is rated for it, you (or an electrician) could add a 50 amp outlet.

Or if all you need is 30 amps, you could add a 30 amp breaker then run some 10/2 with ground Romex and put in a 30 amp outlet.

[TandW]

It is advised you obtain the services of an experienced electrician who is knowledgeable in RV power supplies. The array of options elicited here may lead you to inadvertantly destroy your RV power center. Good luck!!

[RickO]

Thanks all. I was hoping there was something commercially available for this. I'll take a look when we get there to see what we're dealing with.

[wa8yxm]

There are several devices.... I will talk about a few of them.

One is a moulded plug, This fits exactly a standard DU)PLEX receptical and has a 30 amp outlet.. You don't get more amprage than the outlet is breakered at but... You get twice the contact area and thus lower resistance.. This is a good thing, but it should not be more than 20 amps. EVER and then only if it is a 20 amp outlet (Many outlets the one that have a "T" shaped slot on one side (The wide side usually) are 15/20 amp, 15 only (Which this fits) are parallel slots only)

Another is the "Cheater box" this is a box with 2 30 amp cords and a 50 amp outlet.. Though I have been in two places where I could use it,, I've been in perhaps 200 where it would not work.. If plugged into a GFCI breaker this WILL give you the click of darkness 100% of the time.

[GaryKD]

Hi Rick,
Go to RVUpgradeStore - Cheater Box and read about this cheater box. I have used them for years (with permission). Never had a problem. With adapters, one can connect incoming power for a variety of levels.

1. Two 30 AMP lines
2. One 30 AMP and one 20 or 15 AMP
3. Two 20 AMP lines.
4. etc.

You get the picture. One does need to understand the incoming voltage and use power accordingly.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The so-called 'cheater box" is for a 50A RV only, as M&EM has explained. It will not combine 2 x 15A to produce a single 30A for a 30A powered RV. This is not an anti-cheater box post - I own one myself. It simply does not do what you want.

Attempting to combine two 15A circuits into a 30A outlet could result in a dangerous dead short, so do not try it unless you have positive knowledge of the phase of each circuit. You have a 50/50 chance of causing major problems, either in the RV or in the power source for those two 15A circuits.

Because of this danger, there is no commercial product that does it what you want.

[RickO]

Thanks all. I think I understand enough now to know that I'm dangerous.

I think I'll leave it alone. My father in law just had a new barn built and I don't need to be burning it down... not to mention blowing out the new TVs in my coach!

Thanks again...

Rick

[Gary RVRoamer]

Since you have access to the barn, it should be easy enough to add a real 30A circuit. Whoever did the barn wiring likely has the skills.

[wa8yxm]

Suggestion.... .You can get a 30 amp "Pigtail" outlet for less than 20 bucks at most any RV store (Way less as I recall) and a 30 amp breaker at any Lowes, Home Depot, Hardware or electrical supply (MAKE SURE YOU GET THE SAME MAKE AS WHAT IS IN THE BREAKER BOX

Add the thingy (Cable clamp/feed through) that goes in the hole in the box and holds the cable and you have an instant 30 amp outlet at the breaker box.. One extension cord and you are at the rig. Total cost under fifty bucks NOT counting the cord which you should already have.

[Flagelpater]

FWIW I would definitely do as some others have recommended. Add an additional outlet from the Box. Especially if you plan on using it in the future. I have done this at both of my son's homes, 50 Amp, for less than $75.

[StStg1]

JMO, When it comes to electricity, I always rely on the professional electricians. I rather pay for the help instead of causing damage or worse.